My Stormy Food Quest in Binondo’s Chinatown
There’s this storm coming called Man Yi. Did that stop me from heading to Binondo? Nope. I’ve been there before with a friend; we ate at Ying Ying Tea House, and I’ve been craving their food ever since. Before the trip, I did some hardcore Googling for photo ops and must-try eats to make it worth my while. Did I stick to the plan? Absolutely not. But here’s how it all went down anyway.
How to get there
First off, I hopped on the LRT to Carriedo Station. From there, I walked to Ongpin Street, passing by Plaza Santa Cruz—the one with the Carriedo fountain in the middle. I feel like the place and the fountain used to be beautiful or can be more.
I checked into the hotel first to drop off my stuff and couldn’t resist a quick photo session—it was way too nice and aesthetic not to. The city view by the window was sooo nice. And a king bed all to myself? Yes, please… After that, I went straight into food haul mode.
Binondo Food Hunt
My first stop is Oishi Kun. It was the nearest. There’s a line for payment and a line for pickup. It was confusing at first cause I’m not sure where the line for which is which. After some awkward observing and asking, I got my milky bicho-bicho, and let me tell you, and it was exactly what I needed. It was soft and sweet. It’s like when you’ve been craving something but didn’t even know what, and then you taste it.
Next, I grabbed four pieces of Shanghai fried siopao just beside it, then headed over to Wai Ying. There was a crowd outside, and I panicked for a second. Turns out, they were just waiting to dine in. So, I asked the guard, and scored some fried wontons to go. I thought about getting an asado roll from Monteland, I can’t remember why I didn’t. Regret level: medium. Maybe next time.
Then, I went all in for Diao Eng Chay’s chicken pot pie. Bought two boxes without even checking the price haha but its totally worth it. No regrets. I then spotted a long line at Vege Select so I skipped it for now. Their xiao long bao and tanghulu are officially on my “next time” list.
On my way back to the hotel, I realized I needed a drink. Luckily, I found this random convenience store with bottles on display outside. The entrance had those odd butcher strip curtains, which, now that I’m typing this, was kind of strange. I grabbed a strawberry-flavored juice with Chinese characters on it, Pocari Sweat, and a bottle of water. The cashier did some lightning-fast mental math, and I’m honestly impressed.
The moody Elevator
Story time: Elevator horror edition. So when I get back from my food haul, I hop in the elevator and there’s also two other people there with me. They press their floor, I press mine—and nothing happens. All the other floors light up fine, but mine is totally ignoring me it was almost embarassing. The two people was concered of me and told me to press the floor above which is the eleventh one and then try the other elevator so that’s what I did. At this point, I’m like, okay, this elevator is clearly broken. So, I wait for the other one. It was a little creepy though, just me alone in this hallway, silence and the moody elevator. Somehow, I even ended up on the 17th floor. It was like the elevator was trying to play with me, but I wasn’t having it. Finally, the button decides to work, and I’m left thinking… what was that about and did that just happened? I was feeling all kinds of weird walking down the hallway—kinda like something was off. I was just… rushing to my room, but not really running
My Mukbang Attempt
When I got to my room, I thought, “Let’s do a mukbang!” but halfway through the Shanghai siopao, I was stuffed. My faves? Definitely the chicken pot pie and fried wontons—those wontons had seafood in them, which I think was unique. I tried to save the bicho-bicho for later as dessert, but unfortunately it hardened. I didn’t read that it had to be consumed right a way.
And here’s the crazy part: someone I know saw me in Binondo. What are the odds? It really made me think about how spontaneous and fun going out can be—you never know who you’ll cross paths with
Money Magnet Ring
Then the next morning—my ring went missing, the one I got for the pink diamond theory. I searched everywhere, panicked, and then ended up finding a random ring instead. Am I being played by a ghost? Did it want to exchange rings? I’ve searched it on google and found that it’s a money magnet ring. Sounds cool, right? But also definitely cursed. So, I did the smart thing and left it behind. I also found my ring which is in my bag haha.
Ying Ying Tea House
For breakfast, I hit up Ying Ying Teahouse for breakfast, and guess what? I was feeling adventurous and ordered duck this time…and yeah, no. Lechon kawali wins every time.
Afterward, I snapped some pics at the Chinatown arch and the mural before heading back to Carriedo Station. Miraculously, it wasn’t raining even if there’s another storm coming.
Not really a wrap-up
When I got to the mural, my paper bag completely gave out on me. I was literally hugging it. It would be nice to have someone with me that moment. Then I remembered—I brought a tote bag! It fits perfectly. Crisis averted 😌.
At the LRT station, I was once again lost. I asked the woman next to me, but she had no idea either. She went to check at the booth. Eventually, I got to the right side and caught the train. A guy offered me a seat, and I said my thanks. In my head, I was like, Please tell me he heard my thanks.
I really wish I had more time to hit up places like Ramada Hotel for its rooftop, Grand 1919 for coffee, Shin Ton Yong for its pork floss, Monteland for that asado roll, Vege Select for those xiao long bao and tanghulu, and take photos in Panciteria in El Filibusterismo. Not to mention Lan Zhou or San Guo Lamian. Ah well, next time, right?